ACC expansion ...

[JayWalker]

I respect Jay's advocacy for the SBC and he laid out some facts. Agree the AAC is more subject to another member or two being picked off. Navy could decide to become football independent again. We all agree the SBC has come a long way and its great having USM as a conference partner. But we should be open to more change because CFB is rapidly changing, too. Louisiana athletics needs more money. Used to be, and IMO should still be, about who you want to be associated with in a conference. Nowadays its just mainly about the money and making more of it to pay the players in the future. Follow the money, right? Let's say SMU lucks out, exits the AAC for ACC. Remaining AAC members will look at replacements who will help them make the most money or retain their media deal at current levels or at least nearly same dollars. The AAC media deal and bowl ties are superior to the SBC, period. Who else brings more to the table than Louisiana? And AAC TV exposure is also superior. For example look at Tulane's TV exposure this coming early season listed on the AAC website:
9/3: ESPNU 7 p.m.
9/9: ESPNU 2:30 p.m.
9/16: ESPNU 3 p.m.
10/13: ESPN 6 p.m.

Not saying we take a blind leap, but you at least kick the tires as millions of dollars could be at stake. It would be dereliction of duties to not seriously evaluate potential opportunities.

It was just a couple of years ago we had TEN of our games on ESPN, 2, U, ABC, CBS etc. Tulane is coming off a great year and is being rewarded.

[CajunFun]

I believe you. You are probably right.

It's just that I can't help but think about our long term health. To me, that would include being in a league with a considerable Texas presence and with the best regional competition possible. Hard to say the AAC is not that, but I get your stability concerns and baggage concerns. Just remember the SBC has it's own baggage. ULM? Virginia ain't too far from Philly.

I don't see a path to the big time for Tulane, Memphis or ECU. They are going to do something when their media deal is up. I just don't want to miss that bus.

Well, the bus just might turn out to be the 'Belt. I'm hearing that Memphis & ECU are disgusted with the AAC, and are talking about the SBC. Jay has better information than we do; he said that the jump by USM shouldn't have been a surprise... but it was to me.

So Jay, you hearing anything?

[JayWalker]

Well, the bus just might turn out to be the 'Belt. I'm hearing that Memphis & ECU are disgusted with the AAC, and are talking about the SBC. Jay has better information than we do; he said that the jump by USM shouldn't have been a surprise... but it was to me.

So Jay, you hearing anything?

The only thing I'm hearing is that the Sun Belt feels it's in a great position just like it is. The reality is we don't HAVE to add anyone and I think that's the general consensus right now.

I'm sure both ECU and Memphis are a bit leery right now, especially if SMU gets a bid to the ACC. I'm pretty sure neither school is enthralled with the CUSA additions. But I've heard nothing that would indicate they've been blowing up Keith Gill's phone.

[CajunNation]

The only thing I'm hearing is that the Sun Belt feels it's in a great position just like it is. The reality is we don't HAVE to add anyone and I think that's the general consensus right now.

I'm sure both ECU and Memphis are a bit leery right now, especially if SMU gets a bid to the ACC. I'm pretty sure neither school is enthralled with the CUSA additions. But I've heard nothing that would indicate they've been blowing up Keith Gill's phone.

They are going to squeeze every penny they can out of their media deal, then it's Game On.

[CajunVic]

They are going to squeeze every penny they can out of their media deal, then it's Game On.

. . . who is “they” . . .

[Big Buds]

I respect Jay's advocacy for the SBC and he laid out some facts. Agree the AAC is more subject to another member or two being picked off. Navy could decide to become football independent again. We all agree the SBC has come a long way and its great having USM as a conference partner. But we should be open to more change because CFB is rapidly changing, too. Louisiana athletics needs more money. Used to be, and IMO should still be, about who you want to be associated with in a conference. Nowadays its just mainly about the money and making more of it to pay the players in the future. Follow the money, right? Let's say SMU lucks out, exits the AAC for ACC. Remaining AAC members will look at replacements who will help them make the most money or retain their media deal at current levels or at least nearly same dollars. The AAC media deal and bowl ties are superior to the SBC, period. Who else brings more to the table than Louisiana? And AAC TV exposure is also superior. For example look at Tulane's TV exposure this coming early season listed on the AAC website:
9/3: ESPNU 7 p.m.
9/9: ESPNU 2:30 p.m.
9/16: ESPNU 3 p.m.
10/13: ESPN 6 p.m.

Not saying we take a blind leap, but you at least kick the tires as millions of dollars could be at stake. It would be dereliction of duties to not seriously evaluate potential opportunities.

I’ll agree on the Bowl games…but that’s it. Only the AAC Legacy institutions get the full $7 Mill payout. The CUSA 6 AAC teams are receiving the same $2 Mill that all 14 current SBC teams receive. It’s not worth it…stay the course.

[JayWalker]

I think most bowl contracts run through 2025.

But the Pac-12 is going to lose five tie-ins. The big conferences are going to try and get all of them, but I'm guessing there might be an availability somewhere.

Our bowl "tie-ins" mostly belong to ESPN and they can put us in any bowl they own.

[R1Letterman]

It was just a couple of years ago we had TEN of our games on ESPN, 2, U, ABC, CBS etc. Tulane is coming off a great year and is being rewarded.

in that light, technically they should be disappointed with just four i suppose

[Sonsissymia]

No Natty in baseball…you’re thinking of Rice.

Rose Bowl as in like 90 years ago? Seriously? Mention the damn Cotton Bowl for Christ sake that was at least very fresh.

Actually dig in and compare our Athletics over the last quarter century…it’s not even close who the better program is.

and they LOST the rose bowl they played in; cute fact is they lost to so cal, and got revenge last year in the cotton.

[Big Buds]

and they LOST the rose bowl they played in; cute fact is they lost to so cal, and got revenge last year in the cotton.

Your 1931 Top 25

1) Southern Cal 10-1
2) Tulane 11-1
3) Pittsburgh 8-1
4) Tennessee 9-0-1
5) Alabama 9-1
6) Harvard 7-1
7) Army 8-2-1
8) Notre Dame 6-2-1
9) Northwestern 7-1-1
10) Purdue 9-1
11) St. Mary's (California) 8-2
12) California 8-2
13) Georgia 8-2
14) Yale 5-1-2
15) Stanford 7-2-2
16) Dartmouth 5-3-1
17) Cornell 7-1
18) Columbia 7-1-1
19) Colgate 8-1
20) Syracuse 7-1-1
21) Vanderbilt 5-4
22) Minnesota 7-3
23) Ohio State 6-3
24) Michigan 8-1-1
25) Nebraska 8-2

Some are blue bloods…others aren’t.

[CajunEXPRESS]

They are going to squeeze every penny they can out of their media deal, then it's Game On.

They’re still getting the big payday that AAC helped get them in the past

[Louisiana84]

Laird Veatch should call Keith Gill, like right now.